Question

Why were Progressives concerned with the state of American society? What were the core goals, values, and motivations of Progressive era reformers? How did journalism play a key role in the Progressive effort?

Answer 1

The early twentieth century was an age of American business growth and social change. As they called themselves, the socialists had sought to make American society a healthier and safer place to live in. They were seeking to make big business more accountable through different kinds of regulations. We campaigned to clean up corrupt city governments, improve working conditions in factories and improve living standards for those living in slum areas, a significant number of whom were new Southern and Eastern European immigrants. Many democrats have had an interest in the climate and resource management.

This generation of Americans always hoped for a more democratic position in the country. At home, this meant expanding the right to vote to women and a number of election reforms such as the recall, referendum, and direct election of Senators. Abroad, this meant seeking to make the planet politically free. The United States joined Great Britain and France in their fight against autocratic Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1917--two democratic nations-. Soon after the Great War, most Americans turned away from concerns about international affairs, taking a live and let live mentality.

The 1920s were similar to the Progressive Era in that America continued its economic growth and prosperity, also known as the "roaring twenties" and the "new era" Workers' incomes rose along with those of the middle class and wealthier Americans. Automotive manufacturing was the major growth sector. Americans fell in love with the car which changed their way of life drastically. On the other hand, many reform efforts which had been so common after 1900 deteriorated in the 1920s.

The journalist had written controversial stories on a number of significant US-affected topics. Their works had been widely distributed and widely read, and people were inspired to reform.